After eight months of demanding practice, Fargo North Spartacas close out their season with a bang. As one of the most stressful sports at Fargo North, the team does not get nearly enough credit for their work, but the results of state stand as a well-deserved reward.
The season runs through most of the year, with a practice schedule that demands on average 12 hours per week of hard work, and usually more during competition season. This heavy schedule and effort often goes without the attention it deserves. Most people don’t realize the true magnitude of work put into the routines and competitions.
“We practice a lot throughout our 8 month season, so our practice schedule doesn’t change too much during the competition season,” said senior captain Anna Clower. “We usually start having more Saturday practices and Wednesday morning practices, especially around the North invite and state.”
The practice time was well worth it. “Compared to the past couple years, our team this year was very successful. Last year, we did not place at any competitions, but this year we placed at multiple competitions and made it to finals in two routines at state,” Clower said.
Chemistry during a routine can make or break a performance. A group of dancers need to move as one for a great routine.
“Team bonding is really important to us because it helps us dance together as a team, instead of as individuals. We do a lot of different things to help the team bond. For example, this year we went to Valley Fair as a team. We also do things like going to Krolls at 3 in the morning, having Christmas and Halloween parties, and just hanging out at each other’s houses,” Clower continued, “To help motivate the team, we all cheer each other on during routines at practices and competitions.” Clower sees the difference this has made for the Spartacas this year.
The team recently competed at the state tournament in Grand Forks. The competition was on January 24 and 25, and proved the hard work and hours of energy put into this sport. The team placed third in Small Varsity Pom Division and fourth in Small Varsity Jazz. This was a huge accomplishment, and was also the first year in a long time that all three Fargo teams made it to finals in Jazz.
“It was really cool for the team to come back from last year and prove ourselves,” said freshman Emily Sager.
The season is now over, and even though the seniors will move on from the team, the memories will go with them.
“I think everyone’s favorite memory was hearing our name called into finals at state. Knowing that we succeeded and achieved our goals made us so proud of how far the team has come in the past year,” said Clower.